EXPERIENCES WITH GREENHALL: A PROTECTED VEGETABLE PRODUCTION SYSTEM

In Greenhall you can grow vegetables, ornamentals, flowers and have a nursery for young plants in hot or arid climate zones where this has been impossible or very difficult until now.
The climate in the Greenhall system is not dependent upon electrical energy or water, so a power failure will not automatically result in crop failure.
The Greenhall system provides flexibility from the simplest growing practices to the most sophisticated computer control systems.
The Greenhall is equipped with insect-proof netting to substantially reduce pesticide usage.
The roofing system of Greenhall can be placed on a variety of support constructions, the only requirement is that the sides around it are sealed-off.
The roofing system, constructed of aluminum lath with a special coating, is delivered in modules of 320 x 100 cm.
The coating material provides very important characteristics to the roof.
It reflects direct radiation (and heat) and has a very low heat transmission value of 0.25 and therefore creates a uniquely different climate under the roof compared to other commercial materials.
The modules can be shipped with different reflection specifications, e.g. 50 or 70% direct reflection resulting in a light reduction of 30 or 42%, respectively.
Extensive experiences with Greenhall over the past four years have provided the following average advantages over other commercial structures:

• 2–15% lower maximum and higher minimum temperatures,

• 40% higher relative humidity,

• 40% lower heat load,

• 80% reduction in pesticide use,

• Essentially no occurrences of fungal diseases.

• Running costs are very low

The Greenhall system can be supplied with or without support buildings, in various dimensions to suit the growers needs, as modules or as a complete turn-key project.

Strategies for Market Oriented Greenhouse Production

A.M. El-Shiati

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1996.434.22